Dobrynya and the dragon

Some folks say that Dobrynya Nikitich was more than merely a mythical character, that he was an historic warlord and a leader of the army under Sviatoslav the Great, famous warrior prince of the late 10th century. Although the historic people in this folktale are recognizable among the factual histories of the region known today as Russia and the Ukraine, the dragon (and therefore this story) is still considered mythical.


The area’s ancient oral stories, called the Byliny, began the tale with Dobrynya’s mother warning him not to go to the Sorochinsk Mountains and not to bathe in the Puchai River. Of course, ignoring his mother’s words, Dobrynya Nikitich did both of these things.


While Dobrynya was bathing in the Puchai River, the dragon Zmaj Gorynych appeared and challenged him. Zmaj Gorynych was a great, green fire-breathing dragon who had made her nest in a cavern near that part of the Sorochinsk Mountains. Unarmed, Dobrynya was sure that he was doomed. But the story told that Dobrynya swam for the far shore where, miraculously, he found a wizard’s cap on the river bank. Snatching up the hat, Dobrynya turned back to Zmaj Gorynych and turned to used it to slice the dragon’s head off. In desperation, Zmaj Gorynych pleaded with Dobrynya to allow her to live, vowing never to terrorize the humans of the region again. Dobrynya relented and spared her life, negotiating something of a nonaggression pact between the two of them. The dragon flew off, while Dobrynya Nikitich returned to Kiev. There he was acclaimed a hero and made a “bogatyr” or Holy Knight of the Realm.

The dragon Zmaj Gorynych abducted the lovely princess Zabava, niece of Prince Vladimir. When Prince Vladimir heard of Dobrynya Nikitich’s earlier encounter with the dragon, he summoned the bogatyr and made him an offer he couldn’t refuse -- rescue the Princess Zabava or forfeit his life.


Dobrynya returned to his mother’s house. There she gave him a silken whip. She told him to take the old mare and, when it grew weary, he was to draw the silken whip across the horse’s flanks. So Dobrynya rode off on the old mare to the Puchai River in the Sorochinsk Mountains to confront the dragon once more.


Once Dobrynya had reached the lair of Zmaj Gornynych, the bogatyr found a brood of many young dragons inside the cavern. He had slaughtered many of the offspring when an angry Zmaj Gornynych confronted him. The battle raged for three days between these two old foes. Every time the old mare would grow weary, Dobrynya would pull the silken whip across the horse’s flanks and the horse would be miraculously revitalized to continue the fight.


At the end of the third day, Zmaj Gornynych lay dead on the ground in a vast pool of her own blood. But the dragon’s blood would not seep into the ground and Dobrynya and his horse found themselves stuck in the muddy pool of blood. Dobrynya plunged his spear into the earth and boldly commanded the earth to absorb the dragon’s blood. With that, the blood was swallowed by the earth. Dobrynya rescued the fair princess Zabava and returned to Kiev to a great hero’s welcome.


Read more dragon stories at The Folklore Store.

From Boobera Lagoon

SOME FOLKS SAY that dragons are fictional composites of everything that scares us. This story from the native Dreamtime legends of Australia considers the idea of what would be scary to a dragon. Here are the traditional elements of dragon lore (dragon terrorizes community, local hero confronts the beast, etc.) but with its own unique twist.

The Boobera Lagoon lies in the eastern Australian state of Queensland. In the depths of Boobera Lagoon lived a great water-dragon the natives called Kurrea (or Garriya). In some accounts, Kurrea is depicted as a Rainbow Serpent; in others he is described as being more like a crocodile or lizard. Aboriginal legends hold that Kurrea came to Boobera Lagoon from the Yetman region, south of Boobera Lagoon, and that he took the daughter of the Bambul tree for his wife.

For many years, Kurrea lived in the depths of the swampy lagoon, feasting on the fish, mussels and waterfowl of the habitat. The men of the region could not swim in the lagoon, nor fish from its banks, nor paddle their canoes into the lagoon to hunt the ducks or swans without Kurrea coming up from the depths to devour them. This was a great problem for the local population that they were prohibited from hunting or gathering food from around the Boobera Lagoon for fear of the great Kurrea, and they cried out for someone to rid them of this dreaded beast.

Dhulalla was a great warrior from the Noona on the Barwon, and the people asked him if he would kill this dangerous dragon before it devoured them all. Bravely, Dhulalla went to the southern bank of the lagoon early one morning with his best spears and clubs, and peered into the black waters for any signs of Kurrea. And soon the dragon did come up to confront Dhulalla.

Dhulalla threw his finest spear as hard as he could, but it bounced off the dragon and the great Kurrea was unharmed. Dhulalla threw another spear and another, he threw his club at the beast and one by one each weapon bounced harmlessly off the beast's strong skin until all Dhulalla's armaments were gone. Then Kurrea charged, its fiery eyes blazing.

The great beast plowed through the land in much the same way as it travelled through the water, creating troughs of earth and water as it went, displacing the earth like waves of water breaking against the bow of a boat, and in this fashion Kurrea was able to cross the land yet still remain in the water. Dhulalla ran for his life. Although Dhulalla was fast, the monster was gaining on him as they raced across the plain.

Ahead, Dhulalla saw the Bambul tree standing at the edge of the plain. He raced as fast as his feet would go towards the tree, with the furious monster chasing intently behind him. Dhulalla leaped onto the Bambul tree and clung tightly to its trunk. Kurrea suddenly saw his mother-in-law and, startled, he stopped abruptly. Then he bellowed, turned sharply and burrowed head-first deep into the earth. The hole he left filled with water. When no ripples remained in the water-hole, Dhulalla let go of the Bambul tree and stood up.

The trenches Kurrea had dug fill with water each year during the wet season. But the great dragon has never bothered the people of the region again, although it is said that he lives there still. The local people, however, still keep the law and no one goes near the lagoon or even along the banks after sundown, lest Kurrea be tempted from the depths once more.

Read more dragon stories from around the world at The Folklore Store

ILLUYANKA & TARHUN

SOME FOLKS SAY that the Hittite god of storms and the weather was named Tarhun, while other accounts call him Taru, Tarhunt and Teshub. The ancient Hittite people lived in the lands that were part of Ancient Mesopotamia, now present-day Syria in the Middle East. In the folklore of these ancient Hittites, Illuyanka was a ferocious serpent dragon with multiple heads. There are several different versions of the story of Illuyanka, this one dates to approximately 1,000 B.C. This myth was traditionally retold every year on New Year's Day.

According to Hittite mythology, the Storm God Tarhun fought with Illuyanka and the great dragon defeated the Storm God. The dragon took the god's eyes and heart and Tarhun became powerless. Despondent, Tarhun lived a simple, quiet life and took the daughter of poor farmer for his wife. Together they raised a son they called Sarruma. When Sarruma grew up, Tarhun arranged that Sarruma should court and marry the daughter of the great dragon, Illuyanka.

The Weather God slays Illuyanka (shown with Sarruma on far left) from the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, Ankara, Turkey

Tarhun instructed his son to ask his bride-to-be for the Storm God's eyes and heart from her father, the great Illuyanka, as a wedding gift. These were given to Sarruma who carried the eyes and the heart back to Tarhun. When he received these, Tarhun was restored to his powers as the Weather God and immediately set out to find and confront his adversary, Illuyanka. There was a second great struggle and this time Tarhun vanquished the dragon.

But Sarruma realized that he had been used. When Tarhun defeated Illuyanka, Sarruma begged his father, the Great Storm God, to take his life along with Illuyanka, the great dragon. Tarhun finally relented and killed his own son alongside Illuyanka in a great storm of rain and lightning.

Please visit The Folklore Store to read all our dragon stories and to shop for lots of dragon gifts and decor!

Chinese Astrology: The Dragon

SOME FOLKS SAY that Chinese astrology dates back over 2,000 years. Like Western astrology (which originated in Babylon), Chinese astrology seeks to explain human personalities, behaviors, relationships and fortunes by looking to the heavens. Also like Western astrology, the skies are divided into twelve segments. The Chinese zodiac is made up of twelve animals which correspond to certain personality traits. These animals are the rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, lamb (sheep, ram or occasionally goat), monkey, rooster, dog and pig (or boar). Each of the animals is said to hold significance for the people born in that year, rotating on a 12-year cycle. People born in the "Year of the Dragon" are supposed to be energetic, imaginative, and strong leaders if occasionally demanding and egotistical.

According to one Chinese legend, the selection of these animals was determined by Buddha. Once upon a time, all the animals were invited to Buddha's New Year's party and only these twelve animals showed up. The Chinese calendar observes New Year's on a different date than the Western (Julian) calendar commonly used in the United States, with the Chinese New Year occurring in mid-January to mid-February dependent on the cycles of the moon. Buddha gave each animal in attendance at his New Year's party dominion over its own year, in rotating cycles, bestowing the characteristics of that animal to all those born in that animal's year.

In another popular legend, a race was held to determine the order of the zodiac animals. It is said that the rat won the race by crossing the river on the ox's back and then jumping ahead upon reaching the far shore. The Jade Emperor (Heavenly Grandfather) was very curious why a strong, flying creature like the dragon did not finish first. The dragon replied that, while flying over the earth, he had to stop to make rain for the humans and the creatures of the earth and was therefore detained.

Of all the twelve animals of the Chinese zodiac, only one is considered "imaginary" or "mythical," the dragon. It is curious that one of the creatures should be so different from all the others. Some folks point to this peculiar exception and say that this is evidence that dragons once existed and were a part of the natural world when those early observers were looking to explain the universe in what was to evolve into Chinese astrology.

The last "Year of the Dragon" coincided (imperfectly) with the year 2000; the next one will be in 2012.

Read more dragon stories and visit The Folklore Store for lots of dragon gifts and decor!

Dragon Trouble at Krakow Castle

SOME FOLKS SAY that King Krak did not know he was building his castle atop a dragon's cave. Other versions of the story say that the King knew but was so enchanted with the lovely green hills and the beautiful Vistula River flowing by that he vowed to build his castle in this beautiful place. Perhaps the king thought that greenish speckled egg was just a strange looking rock. Or perhaps he thought it was too old and would never hatch.

Whatever he knew and when he knew it, King Krak built his castle on the beautiful Wawel Hill near the Vistula River in Southern Poland. Soon a bustling marketplace sprang up beside the castle walls and around the prospering marketplace grew a thriving town of bright houses. Beyond were farmers growing fruit trees, raising crops and tending livestock on the rolling hills. Life in the region around Krakow Castle was good and, looking out from his castle, King Krak was very pleased.

But the egg did hatch! There was one loud C-R-R-A-C-K-K! and out crawled a baby dragon. Life in the region took a sudden turn for the worse. The dragon's fiery breath burned the fruit trees and the crops in the fields. The local livestock became the dragon's food, as well as small children or maidens that might be foolish enough to wander off alone. The merchants of the marketplace were afraid and closed their shops. The king was distraught and sent his valiant knights out to rid the countryside of this plague. But none prevailed against the dragon.

In despair, the king cried out for someone to purge his kingdom of this devastating creature. One day, a young man named Skuba Dratewka, a shoemaker from a little hut on the edge of town came to the castle to speak with the king. Under his arm, Skuba carried a sheepsking which he had stitched together to look like a sheep. Inside, under the fleece, he had tightly packed the sheep's body with sulfur. The king quickly realized the plan and ordered the shoemaker's sheep to be placed near the dragon's cave, along with a few live sheep.

That evening, when the dragon came out to rampage and pillage, the evil creature quickly saw the grazing sheep and headed straight for them. Gulp, gulp, gulp and the sheep were swallowed up.

Presently, the dragon began to bellow and writhe. With a swish of his huge tail, the beast raced to the river to drink some water to extinguish his growing thirst and soothe the mounting pain in his belly. Skuba Dratewka and King Krak, watching from the castle, looked and each other and nodded. From the riverbank came the screams of the dragon and they could see the glow of the gushing blazes from its fiery throat. Then a huge explosion could be heard all over the village, followed by silence.

The villagers stuck their heads out of their houses to see what had caused the great explosion. The news spread quickly, "The dragon is dead!"

As the joyous celebration poured out onto the street, King Krak turned to the shoemaker and put his hand on the man's shoulder. "What can I give you to thank you for this great deed that you have done?" the king asked him.

Skuba thought for a minute, then asked the king for the dragon's hide. Surprised, the king immediately granted his request. He also ordered that a new shoemaker's home and shop should be built in a much better location in the marketplace, just beside the castle gate. Skuba, the shoemaker, took the dragon's hide and made shoes and boots from every scrap. The strong dragon hide that had turned back the lances and swords of the king's knights made sturdy boots and shoes. These boots brought great fame and wealth to Skuba Dratewka, shoemaker and dragon-slayer.

In some tellings of this legend, the shoemaker who slew the dragon was named Krak and ascended the throne after the death of the existing king. However you prefer this legend, it is still a popular tale in Poland. If you ever have the opportunity to visit Krakow, the old capital city of Poland, stop by and see the dragon's cave and statue that still stand today to commemorate this ancient folktale.

Please visit The Folklore Store to read all our dragon stories and to shop for gifts and home decor with fierce dragons, delicate fairies, winsome unicorns, mysterious wizards and much more.

The Monk and the Monkey

SOME FOLKS SAY that Marco Polo is the most famous traveler to traverse the Silk Road, the ancient trade route between China and Turkey. But most folks in that region remember Hsuan-zang, the Buddhist monk who made a famous pilgrimage from China to India along parts of the Silk Road in the seventh century AD.

The wind blew hard as Hsuan-zang labored up the steep mountain path. But the monk had no thoughts of turning back for he was on a sacred pilgrimage. Traveling with Hsuan-zang was his faithful white horse and one very mischievous monkey. Monkey Hanuman was quick and clever, but was known to be rude to everyone, even the Jade Emperor.

Years before, the Jade Emperor had locked up Monkey Hanuman for his impudence. But the gods had asked the Emperor to let Monkey out to accompany the monk on his pilgrimage. Monkey Hanuman had been frisking about since they set out, so happy to be free again, and his enthusiasm had helped keep his master's spirits lighter on this arduous trek.

This cold morning, the travelers came upon a rushing river, racing down the steep slope they had just climbed. As Hsuan-zang was looking around for a place to cross the roaring waters, a huge dragon came up out of the river and headed towards them. The monk stared in numb amazement, but quick-witted Monkey hastily pushed his master back from the river's edge. Monkey Hanuman scampered back to save the white horse but was too late. The dragon swallowed the dumbfounded horse in a single gulp.

The travelers were mourning this serious loss when the Golden Guardian Spirit spoke to them from above the high clouds, saying "Don't be upset for your cause is blessed and I am here to help you."

The monk immediately fell on his knees and bowed low before the spirit, but Monkey Hanuman was angry and shook his fist at the sky. "You say you are here to help? You haven't been much help so far! But if you want to help, stay here and watch over this good monk while I retrieve his horse from that wicked river dragon." And with that, Monkey tightened his belt, picked up a stout club and marched resolutely down to the river's edge.

"Give me back my horse!" Monkey Hanuman called to the River Dragon.

The dragon was digesting his breakfast and was displeased to be disturbed. He came to the water's surface and demanded in a booming voice, "Who are you and why do you make so much noise?"

"Give me back my horse!" Monkey Hanuman shouted again and swung his club hard at the dragon's head. The dragon slashed at the monkey with his long, fearsome claws. Monkey darted aside and bashed at the dragon with his club. The dragon snapped his terrible teeth at Monkey. Monkey swung again and again. The awful fight was long and fierce. Finally, exhausted and annoyed, the dragon retreated below the waters and would not come back despite Monkey's shouts.

So Monkey Hanuman returned to Hsuan-zang on the river bank with the sad news that he had failed to retrieve the horse. The monk was despondent but the Golden Guardian Spirit spoke to Monkey, "Have you not boasted many times that you could defeat dragons? So what is the problem now?"

Monkey Hanuman marched back down to the river's edge and the Golden Guardian Spirit stirred up the waters into a mighty swirling pool. The river dragon came up and demanded of Monkey Hanuman, "Who are you and why do you disturb the waters of the river?"

"Give me back my horse!" Monkey Hanuman shouted again, dancing around and swinging his club. Again the dragon and the monkey fought an awful fight. The dragon slashed at Monkey with his ferocious claws and Monkey slid away to avoid each hacking blow.

The dragon bit at Monkey Hanuman with his sharp teeth and growled, "How do you expect me to give you back the horse that I have already eaten?"

But Monkey Hanuman replied, "I will beat you with this club until you figure out a way, you miserable thief, to GIVE ... BACK ... MY ... HORSE!" but the dragon, weary of the battle and seeing little chance of catching and eating the monkey, changed himself into a small green snake and slithered away in the tall grass by the river. The monkey beat the grass with his club, but could not find the snake.

Returning to Hsuan-zang and the Golden Guardian Spirit on the river bank, Monkey Hanuman asked the Golden Guardian Spirit, "Where is my master's horse now?"

The Golden Guardian Spirit was perplexed. "I did not know you had a master. I have never known Monkey Hanuman to obey anyone."

"This is a sacred pilgrimage and I have been sent by the gods to help this good monk along his way. It is my duty to serve him on this journey. Now our undertaking is in danger of failing because of this cursed dragon. Tell me what you know of this dragon," Monkey retorted.

"The dragon is new in these parts. There never used to be a dragon in this river until recently. It is said that he was put here by Kuan Yin." The Golden Guardian Spirit's words troubled Monkey Hanuman. If Kuan Yin, the Goddess of Mercy, had placed this dragon here, great powers were involved indeed.

"Could you please ask Kuan Yin to come here and speak to us about this dragon?" Monkey Hanuman asked the Golden Guardian Spirit. Then, remembering that spirits have a different sense of time, Monkey imagined that he and Hsuan-zang could be frozen or starved or both before the Golden Guardian Spirit returned, and added, "I would appreciate it if you could bring her right away."

With a sudden rustling of wind, the Golden Guardian Spirit was gone. Hsuan-zang and Monkey Hanuman sat down side by side on the river bank. A few minutes later, there was a flash of bright light and Kuan Yin appeared before the two travelers.

Monkey was in a foul temper and started to shout, "What is the meaning of this? You should be helping us and instead you put this dreadful beast in our path. Now we have no horse and no one knows what we are going to do."

Kuan Yin smiled slightly and said, "We can get this straightened out." She turned to the rushing water and called out, "Come out, Third Son of the Great Dragon King, for I would speak with you!" and the dragon came out of the waters and bowed to Kuan Yin. Softly, she asked the dragon, "Is it true? Have you eaten the horse of this holy pilgrim?"

The dragon looked a bit sullen and said, "It's true that I was hungry earlier this morning and I did eat a horse that stood beside the river's edge. Then this monkey came and fought me because of it. But no one said anything about a holy pilgrim."

Kuan Yin nodded and asked, "Did you ask his name?"

"NO!" cried the monkey, jumping up and down.

"Yes, I did ask," the dragon answered Kuan Yin, looking only briefly at the chattering monkey. "I asked who was here and got no answer. This noisy monkey just kept complaining about the horse and trying to hit me with a club."

Then Kuan Yin turned to Hsuan-zang and said, "I have placed this dragon here to help you on your journey. You have crossed the desert and climbed this high mountain, but your passage is far from over. No ordinary horse would be able to make the perilous crossing that you must now undertake." She turned to the dragon and removed a jewel from under his chin. She placed her hands on either side of his great head and blew gently into the dragon's nostrils. The dragon transformed from head to toe into a horse that looked just like the one that had stood on the river bank earlier that day. "And now," Kuan Yin spoke to the dragon, "if you behave yourself and serve this good man well, and if you stop eating what doesn't belong to you, I will promise you shall become an enlightened creature at this journey's end." (In the Buddhist faith, everyone wants to become an enlightened creature.)

So the dragon-horse bowed low to Kuan Yin and vowed that he would do all that he was told. Kuan Yin admonished Monkey Hanuman that he was on a serious pilgrimage and should not be carousing and picking fights all around the countryside. She turned to Hsuan-zang and bade him good fortune on his journey. Then she vanished in a flash of light, just as she had come.

The goddess was correct that there were many more perils and adventures for Hsuan-zang and his monkey companion. But those tales are the subjects of other stories. This one, I believe, is at its end.

Please visit the Folklore Store for gifts and home decor with dragons, fairies, wizards and unicorns.

Lambdon's Dragon

SOME FOLKS SAY that dragons are four-legged creatures with sharp claws and bat-like wings. But Lambdon's Dragon was a wicked worm.

In the olden days of dragons, a young boy lived in the Northumberland region of Northern England. This lazy boy enjoyed fishing in the river. One day, he had caught several fine fish for his supper and one very unpleasant looking worm. On his way home in the afternoon, Lambdon was admiring his catch and tossed the inedible serpent creature down the village well. He continued on home and thought no more about it.

The years passed, as they always do. The serpent-dragon grew in the bottom of the village well. Lambdon grew, too, and to everyone's delight, he grew out of his indolent ways. Lambdon grew to be a fine young man and, as all fine young men did in those days, he went to fight in the Crusades. All the while, the monster continued to grow in the bottom of the well.

One day, the fiend emerged from the well and slithered back to the river. There it grew larger and larger and became the terror of the countryside, feasting on any luckless creatures that crossed its path. The dragon ravaged through the village and countryside, finally making its way to Lambdon Hall. With instructions from the chief steward, the household was prepared. The largest feed trough was set in the castle yard and filled to the brim with milk. The dragon drank every drop of the milk and slithered away satisfied, only to return the next day. The trough was filled every day and, if the serpent was not satiated with enough milk, the creature would tear trees from the ground and go rampaging throughout the region, devouring any living being it encountered, creating mayhem and spreading fear among the residents.

In this way, the castle was visited daily by the dragon and the countryside continued to suffer for many years until Lambdon returned from the Crusades. With sudden horror, he recognized that the devastation throughout the countryside was caused by the ugly worm he had caught in the river and cast into the village well many years before. Courageously, Lambdon vowed that he would rid the castle of this ghastly guest and restore peace to his homeland.

But Lambdon had a plan. He went straight away to the armorer and arranged for a new suit of armor. This new suit of armor was studded all about with blades and spikes sticking out like a hedgehog's coat. And it was in this new suit of armor that Lambdon strode out to face the dragon, with his sword gleaming in the early morning sun.

The dragon was furious that there was no milk and turned his full wrath upon the knight who confronted him in the castle yard. Lambdon struck at the monster's head with his sword, but the wily and wicked worm wound his tail around the knight's legs, then around his chest, intent on squeezing the life out of the valiant warrior. The serpent dragon squeezed and squeezed, wrapping its long coils tighter and tighter around the knight. But the harder the dragon constricted around Lambdon, the more the spikes and blades began to tear into the monster's flesh. The spikes sank deeper and deeper and the blood gushed forth.

In pain and anger, the dragon bellowed its rage and coiled even tighter around Lambdon until ultimately it had torn itself to pieces on the blades and spikes in the armor. As the dying dragon's grasp weakened, Lambdon chopped off the creature's head with one strong blow from his sword. All the servants in the castle ran out into the yard and began snatching up the pieces of the dreaded dragon that had terrorized them for so many years. With Lambdon leading the way, the bits and pieces of the dragon's flesh were carried down to the rushing river and tossed into the strongest part of the current, where they were swept away forever.

Please visit The Folklore Store for gifts and home decor with fierce dragons, delicate fairies, winsome unicorns, mysterious wizards and much more.